PART tt. SERMQN VIII. 119 Can I bear that it should be said concerning me, f0 IIe seems' indeed to have something of the love of God in him, but he is so rough inhis natural temper, and to uncorrected in his manners, that scarce any man loves him ? He maybend his knees to God in prayer, but he has not common civility towards men. His morality and honesty appear not upon him with honour : I-lis virtue does not seem to sit well about him, and his religion is dressedin .a very unpleasing form." Is this the way to give re- putation to the gospel ? is this to adorn the doctrine ofGod our Saviour inall things ; Tit. ii. 10. When we become Christians, we put away bitterness, and wrath, and clamour, and evil-speak- ing, and filthiness, and scurrilous jests; Eph. iv. 31. and v. 4. We are commanded to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers ; but to begentle, andshew meekness toall; Tit. ill. 2. to prefer one another in honour; to bless, and curse not; to rejoice with them that rejoice, and to weep with them that weep; to condescend to men of low estate ; and, ifpossible, to livepeaceably with all men ; Rom. xii. 14, 15, 16-18. Are there any souls here of this unpleasing character and carriage ! Did you ever read these words in your bibles? Do ye think these are thecommands of Christ, or no ? You profess to love him above all, but what care have you taken to obey these precepts ofhis ? or do you think thesublime practices offaith and adoration will make those lower duties needless ? Have yefound the sweetnessof being at peace with God, and tasted of the plea- sures of his love ; and can ye disregard all the practices and pleasures of love and peace among men ? We are not required indeed to sell truth for peace, nor strict godliness for the forms of civility. There is no need that we should conformourselves to any of the sinful practices of this world, in order to fulfil the law of love. But wheresoever the customs oftheplace wherewe dwell are consistent with the strict and holy rules of Christ, we should practise them so far, as to render ourselves agreeable to those with whom we converse, that we may shine in the world as thehonours of Christ, and that un- believers may be won by our conversation, to come and hear our gospel, to learn the same faith, and embrace the samehope : Not only the things that are true, andhonest, and just, andpure, but the things thatare lovely in the sight of men, and things that are of good report, must be th, subjects of our meditation, our learning, and practice ; Phil. iv. 8. Si. Paul, that great apostle, did not think these things unworthy of his care he enjoins them upon the primitive Christians from his own example, and promises them the presence of the God of peace. These are the things which I have taught you, saith he, these ye have-heard and seen in me; conformyour manners to theserules, and the God peace shall bewith you ; ver. 9.
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